The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and the Nigerian Communications Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen regulatory collaboration.
This partnership is designed to enhance consumer protection and promote fair competition within Nigeria’s telecommunications and consumer sectors.
The MoU was signed on Tuesday at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both organizations, including the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello,
and the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the NCC, Dr. Aminu Maida.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that Nigerian consumers benefit from a more unified regulatory framework that promotes market efficiency, protects consumer welfare, and fosters fair competition.
Bello emphasized the vital role of inter-agency collaboration in tackling the complex challenges faced by consumers in the telecommunications sector.
He highlighted that the overlap in regulations between the FCCPC and NCC is crucial for bridging gaps in oversight, ensuring that no issues are overlooked.
He said, “The principle behind overlapping regulations is simple: it serves as a mechanism to prevent issues from slipping through the cracks. This explains the interwoven relationship between the FCCPC and the Nigerian Communications Commission.
“It ensures that if one agency, due to certain limitations, fails to identify or address a consumer issue or regulatory violation, the other agency, potentially with a different perspective, will be able to step in effectively.”
Bello also emphasized the significance of Section 105 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, which requires collaborative efforts between sector regulators.
He noted that this provision is essential for promoting effective cooperation and ensuring thorough oversight across industries.
He stated, “By this, we are also making life easier for the generality of consumers in dealing with two government agencies on the same issue at the same time.”
Meanwhile, the Maida expressed his excitement about the partnership, calling it a long-awaited and crucial move in enhancing the welfare of Nigerian consumers, especially in the fast-evolving communications sector.
He stressed that the collaboration would promote transparency, encourage competition, and ensure a fair playing field for all stakeholders involved.
“This occasion is one that I would describe as long coming. It is the outcome of healthy engagements and events that have strengthened the resolve of both our institutions to protect the Nigerian consumer, especially in the communications industry,” Maida stated.
The NCC boss further stressed the critical role of the telecommunications sector as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development, highlighting the need for effective regulation that safeguards consumer protection while promoting fair competition.
“In an era of rapid technological advancements, the significance of collaboration between regulatory bodies cannot be overstated,” he said.
“The telecommunications sector, in particular, has become the cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic and social development. This makes it imperative that we ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders while protecting consumers who depend on reliable and affordable communications services.”
He further said “This MoU is a testament to our shared vision of fostering a transparent, competitive, and consumer-focused telecommunications industry. By aligning our efforts, the NCC and FCCPC aim to avoid regulatory uncertainty and create clarity for the benefit of all stakeholders.”
Bello urged other sector regulators to establish similar cooperative frameworks, in accordance with the legal provisions of the FCCPA, to ensure that consumers in all sectors benefit from robust and comprehensive regulatory oversight.
